Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment - Patients & Families

MOLST Program

The Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) Program is designed to improve the quality of care people receive at the end of life. MOLST is New York State's Physicians Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Paradigm Program. These programs are based on effective communication of patient wishes, documentation of medical orders on a brightly colored form, and a promise by health care professionals to honor these wishes. See if your state has a POLST Paradigm Program.

MOLST is based on communication between the patient or decision-maker and health care professionals to ensure shared, informed medical decision-making based on the patient's goals for care. Read more about the MOLST Discussion.

The MOLST FAQs

Patients, families and persons who make decisions on behalf of those who have lost the ability to decide often have questions about MOLST. View the MOLST FAQs for Patients and Families.